Texans who have longed to buy a home on the Gulf Coast can make their dream a reality by searching for their next home in Port Lavaca or Corpus Christi, which were both named on Realtor.com's list of the 12 most affordable American beach towns for homebuyers in 2025.
Realtor.com's economists narrowed down the numerous list of American beach destinations based on which towns had at least 50 active residential home listings for the month of April 2025, then ranked them by their median list prices for single-family homes (including condos but excluding mobile homes). To keep the list fair, only two towns were included per state in the top 12.
Located about 130 miles from Houston, Port Lavaca ranked as the No. 5 most affordable beach town with the fifth-most budget-friendly housing prices this past spring. Homes in this quaint Texas town were on the market for a median price of $292,000 in April, the report found.
Realtor.com said Port Lavaca is a restful place that beckons visitors to "take a breather from the chaotic pace of modern life" through calming activities such as nature walks. The town is also situated along a "major migratory flyway" for 400 different bird species, making it an ideal destination for birdwatching.
"Although the town is small, with just 11,000 year-round inhabitants, it is not short on attractions and activities, from relaxing on Magnolia Beach to taking a stroll in Bayfront Peninsula Park," the report's author wrote.
Port Lavaca is also home to one of the top-10 best barbecue restaurants in Texas, LaVaca BBQ, plus several historical monuments and the Calhoun County Museum for any history enthusiasts that want to learn more about the small town.
This beautiful property in Corpus Christi is on the market for $287,900, which is more affordable than the April median list price for a home in the city.Photo courtesy of Zillow
The (much busier) city of Corpus Christi ranked as the 8th most affordable beach town in America, with April homes selling for a median price of $310,000. The report said Corpus Christi's bustling population of more than 300,000 residents makes it the most populous city on the list for 2025.
Corpus Christi is located just over 200 miles from Houston, and spans more than 100 miles of beaches, including parts of both Padre Island National Seashore and Mustang Island State Park. From water-based activities like kayaking, surfing, or fishing, to visiting iconic attractions like the Selena Museum, Texas State Aquarium, or the Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History, there's no shortage of things to do in this coastal paradise.
The 12 most affordable beach towns for homebuyers are:
- No. 1 – Pascagoula, Mississippi
- No. 2 – Deerfield Beach, Florida
- No. 3 – Atlantic City, New Jersey
- No. 4 – Port Richey, Florida
- No. 5 – Port Lavaca, Texas
- No. 6 – Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
- No. 7 – Ocean Springs, Mississippi
- No. 8 – Corpus Christi, Texas
- No. 9 – Surfside Beach, South Carolina
- No. 10 – Long Beach, Washington
- No. 11 – Ocean Shores, Washington
- No. 12 – Ocean City, Maryland
